The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild has an incredibly fruit-driven bouquet with layers of black cherries, cassis, raspberry preserve and menthol aromas all beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a sweet core of intense red berry fruit laced with white pepper, sage and a hint of fennel. The balance here is exquisite and the manner in which it fans out on the final third is just glorious. You could actually broach this now, it is so drinkable, but it has the substance to suggest long-term ageing. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. 2024 - 2055

Score: 95

Neal Martin, vinous.com, March 2018

The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild, tasted with head winemaker Eric Kohler, has retained that very opulent and outgoing bouquet that dare I say actually reminded me of Mouton-Rothschild. There are layers of blackberry and boysenberry fruit, still that hint of juniper berry, certainly a more extrovert Lafite-Rothschild compared to recent vintages. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, very focused and quite linear, again with plenty of black fruit laced with cedar and tobacco. It begins to clam up towards the saline finish, suggesting that it will need several years in bottle, but I still have high expectations for this First Growth once afforded several years in bottle. Drink Date 2024-2045

Score: 95

Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (Interim En), April 2017

The Château Lafite-Rothschild 2014 is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, picked from 22 September until 10 October with the Petit Verdot, the Cabernet finished two days earlier. The Grand Vin is adorned with surprising richness and opulence on the nose: layers of ripe black plum and juniper, fine definition with even a hint of fig developing with continued aeration. After 5 minutes it turns volte face and becomes much more graphite and cedary - more Pauillac in essence. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a potent core of black and blue fruit with a bullish (for Lafite) peacock's tail on the finish. Very long in the mouth, this is a Lafite that yearns to compensate for last year and it accomplishes that with some panache. Drink: 2024-2045.

Score: 94/96

Neal Martin, RobertParker.com (218), April 2015

The aromas of stones, oyster shell, blackcurrants and mushrooms are very intense. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with lots of blackberries. Great finish. Super energy and depth. Try in 2022. Fascinating.

Score: 98

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, February 2017

I love the sexy, perfumed and feminine style to this young Lafite with rose petals, rose stems and currants. Full body, super fine tannins and a wonderful finish. Lasts for a very, very long time.

Score: 97/98

James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, March 2015

The 2014 Lafite-Rothschild is a beautiful, vivid wine. It is also going to need a number of years to come together. All the classic Lafite signatures are present in the glass. Dark red and bluish-hued fruits, grilled herbs, crème de cassis and leather are some of the many notes that gradually open up. The wine is finessed and nuanced to the core. I imagine it will drink well with minimal cellaring, although it clearly also has the potential to grow in bottle. The blend is 87 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 10 % Merlot and 3 % Cabernet Franc. In 2014, the Grand Vin accounts for 38 % of production.

Score: 94+

Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, February 2017

A rich, powerful wine, the 2014 Lafite boasts superb depth, nuance and class. Hints of plum, cinnamon, wild flowers and exotic spices are woven throughout, but the flavors remain quite primary. The delicate, brilliant finish points to a bright future for a Lafite that should start to drink well with minimal cellaring. The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. Lafite accounts for 38% of the production.

Score: 92/95

Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, April 2015

Tasted blind. A bit worked, soft and loose but with lots of vegy quality and some mintiness. Rather forward. Tea leaves.Drink 2023-2043

Score: 17.5

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, February 2018

Nuanced, very healthy crimson with a ruby rim. Tea leaves on the nose. Rather severe palate with marked tannins quotient. Very Cabernet indeed - but Cabernet that is far from opulent. A bit more stolid than most Lafites. Bone dry and without the beautiful aromatic lift that characterises the best vintages. A bit short on charm. Drink 2025-2040

Score: 17.5

Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, April 2015

Such was the demand from Asia a few years ago that Lafite was selling at much higher prices that the other First Growths. However, we are now back to reality. 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. the Merlot was picked 22nd-27th September and the Cabernets from 29th September to 8th October. Deep colour. Very pure blue and black fruit on the nose which is densely aromatic. There is added complexity from exotic all spcie and vanilla, but this is all about the purity of Cabernet fruit which is charged but elegant. Very Lafite. The palate has a rich and sweet entry but structure from the super-refined tannins and acidity make it fresh and clean at the same time. Real clarity, purity and precision. Focused and long, with a little wood smoke and spice. There is a dense core of blackcurrant and blueberry fruit, but the precision is what makes this wine and gives it real typicity. A return to form for Lafite after a difficult 2013.

Score: 18+

Farr Vintners, March 2015

Reserved for now, but the core of cassis, bitter plum and raspberry coulis flavors is pure and energetic, while extra black tea, iron and singed alder notes fill in steadily through the finish. This has a very focused, streamlined feel overall, yet there's serious depth for the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2035. 16,000 cases made.

Score: 95

James Molesworth, WineSpectator.com, February 2017

The nose has a fragrant floral charm spring violets and the start of the palate has bilberry and bramble freshness lots of bright fruit. Rich in the middle the sweet cassis supported by fine tannins the back palate fleshy and supple. There is an underlying freshness and brightness but the finish has depth with black fruited richness. 2027-40

Score: 94/97

Derek Smedley MW, April 2015

A wine that proves that Bordeaux doesn't have to be full bodied to have concentration and ageing potential, this is a gloriously refined red that doesn't show its 100% new oak. Stylish tannins, fine red and black fruits and palate-cleansing acidity are framed by attractive oak. One of the wines of the year.

Score: 97

Tim Atkin MW, timatkin.com, April 2015

Score: 95+

Decanter Magazine, April 2015

Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.